The Contra Costa Times is reporting a 9-year-old Oakley boy is in critical condition after colliding with a 15-year-old in a dirt bike accident yesterday.
The incident occurred in the vacant field west of KMART while the motorcycle riders like to park next to Markstein Sales Company at the end of Drive in Way. As you can see from the image above, dirk bike enthusiast have made their own track and from what I am hearing bikes have been out there daily during the winter vacation and the property is a hot spot on weekends.
Not in the Times article was the following as I spoke to a witness for more details. When the incident occurred, 911 was called but the medical was quickly cancelled as the witness saw the boy being carried from the scene by a parent and placed in a vehicle and speeding off to Sutter Delta Hospital–the boy was eventually transferred to children hospital in Oakland. The boy was apparently “limp” with no movement. There was also a report of a man yelling at the woman to come back and get her bike and take it from the scene.
Although the medical was cancelled, CHP and Antioch police were quickly on scene and it appeared a couple of the motorcycles were impounded. Anyone with information can call Antioch police at 925-778-2441. Anonymous tips can be texted to 274637 (CRIMES), using the key word “ANTIOCH.”
A couple of thoughts on this incident as the first thing that comes to mind is no matter how hurt someone is, you don’t move them because you don’t know the damage done or the additional damage you may cause to their neck or back after an incident. The best thing to do is always wait for the ambulance.
Second, this is now the second incident in as many weeks involving the vacant property and surrounding areas. It’s time for the Antioch Police Department to step up it’s patrol of the area while the property owner works with the city come up with a realistic solution that doesn’t break the bank to keep unsupervised riders off the lot. From what I am hearing, its become the “wild wild west” for dirk bike riders with them going all sorts of directions causing dust and noise issues for surrounding businesses. While fencing is obviously the easiest deterrent, you can’t expect a property owner to fence in 40-50 acres–that is probably over $60k for a vacant lot. There has to be a cheaper and more realistic solution whether it be signs or increased patrol. It also may be an issue that needs to be addressed by the Antioch City Council whether its stricter ordinance for dirt bike riders or trespassing, its something they should look at for vacant lots.
Full Article:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_22282321/antioch-9-year-old-oakley-boy-critical-condition
0 comment
Why is a 9 year old and a 15 year old on motorcycles anyway?
Very sad. Judging by the picture, I am suprised many more incidents have not been called in. This is not safe, Antioch needs to do something as people need not forget about the motorcycle vs. train last week.
Poor judgment on the adults part. Adults should make decisions that do not harm their children. That is not the fault of the city of Antioch. The land owner should have the land fenced or he is liable perhaps for this yound man’s medical bills.
There is no way for Antioch to “step up” its patrol. Listen to the scanner, they run from call to call. Right now, Antioch just went out to a verbal 415, upset over the results of a board game. No I am not making that up. Maybe it time for people to understand what private property is and show some respect for it. Now the parents will sue the property owner for NOT stopping them from riding on his property.
Board games are pretty serious these days Barbara! LOL. In speaking with the property owner, there have been calls nearly everyday for the past few weeks. There is only so much a property owner can do before it falls on Antioch or the PD. If the parents do sue, I doubt it holds any Merritt as they were trespassing.
I remember when they were shutting don the sand pit area along 160. People had been riding there for years but it got totally out of control. It took a long time to get people to understand that they were not to go onto that property. Signs and fences didn’t stop them, they just ignored the signs or cut the fence. CHP and SO finally sent in an off-street bike detail for several weekends and wrote everyone. But the manpower that was used just isn’t there today. You can call and call but trespassing is a very low priority call, just like property damage only accidents. More important to keep people from killing each other over cheating at Candyland lol.
Everyone gets sued these days. i hope the mother picking up that little boy and hauling him to the hospital on Lone Tree didn’t do more damage to him. He is now in Childrens in Oakland.
From what I’ve heard… it doesn’t look good.
Riding DIRTbikes not DIRK bikes is becoming a very popular hobby these days. Years ago there were fields and huge empty lots for kids and adults to go practice or just ride for the day. These days space is limited and you have to travel if you want to go riding. Unfortunately people will continue to ride their DIRTbikes in that lot and injuries will continue to happen. Do not question why a 9 and 15 year old were on motorcycles, apparently you may not be cognizant of the times but it is a very popular hobby. Dangerous yes, but fun and a great way to spend time with your family. You can argue til you are blue in the face why a 9 year old shouldnt be on a DIRTbike but it is what it is. Its a culture. This is a very tragic accident, as are all ACCIDENTS. Afterall, they are called accidents because they can be prevented. Now, before you decide to jump down my throat about not understanding anything about children/life and dangers etc, my son’s father died on a motorcycle. It was an accident caused by a teenager. Friends of ours have died on dirtbikes. More have been paralyzed and seriously injured. Is it worth it you may ask? Hell yes. There is no sweeter feeling than jumping on my dirtbike and heading out on a trail or track. To each their own I guess. I hope this 9 year old pulls through, and before you judge or criticize the parents you should try and put yourself in their shoes. It may not have been the best thing to move the child, but in their state of panic, they did. Whats done is done. All you can do is pray for that childs recovery.
I know several people crippled for life from cycle racing and they do not say “hell yeah it was worth it.” They wish they had had their heads examined before destroying their families.